STL Place: Bellefontaine Cemetery

I recently passed a cemetery on my way home from a client's house. I then discovered that it is the oldest in St. Louis, Bellefontaine. When I had to practice using the SLR camera, we opted to go there and check it out. No, we aren't creeps but we became a little more enamored with the beauty when we visited Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. Bellefontaine opened in the early 1800s, and you can read more about the history on the website. 

We arrived and stopped into the office where you can find a complimentary map. As you drive along the main road, markers are on the side that correspond with numbers on your map, allowing you to find specific graves and read a brief description of who is buried in that location. There's also an option for a Civil War route. 

I'm new to St. Louis but I recognized Adolphus Busch, the Lemp family, William Clark, and a handful of others. The website has an option to read historical stories. It's fascinating to read more about those whose graves we passed. There's a brief history as well as a portrait.

The grounds are beautiful, and there are simple graves, large ornate sites, monuments, and mausoleums. 

Here are some of the highlights: (I attached a link to some of them so you can read more..)

 

 

"the girl in the glass box"

Herman C.G. Luyties, Jr.

 



Lemp Family

 



 

David Rowland Francis

President of 1904 World's Fair

 



 

Chris Von der Ahe

owner of original St. Louis professional baseball team

Colonel John O'Fallon

benefactor

 

 

Henry Blow

financed Dred Scott suit

minister

His daughter, Susan Blow (right), founded the first kindergarten in the USA (Des Peres School in St. Louis, 1873)

 



Adolphus Busch

brewer

stained glass (A. Busch)

A. Busch